Glass Fish Appears in Wawiyer Lake, Papua, Unique Shape and Has Many Names

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – So far it is known that glass fish only live and are easily found in the Digul River and swamps in Boven Digoel Regency, Bian River, Kumbe River, and Maro River, Merauke Regency, Papua. However, the latest data shows these fish are also found in Telaga Wawiyer.

“The Wawiyer Lake is connected to Berau Bay via the Budigi River, Mitimber Village, Mbahamdandara District, Fakfak Regency, West Papua,” said researcher from the Papua Archeology Center, Hari Suroto, Monday, September 20, 2021.

The latest data is based on the findings of the catch of residents who are fishing for nineg fish. The shape of this glass fish is quite unique, it has a flat and tall body, like an elongated rhombus. Called glass fish because on the right and left are silver, similar to glass.

In addition to its unique shape, this fish also has many nicknames. By residents of Mitimber, the fish is named giti-giti fish, some also call it glassfish, and nurse fish or nursery fish. Male fish are commonly nicknamed nurse fish, because they have a protrusion on the top of their head that looks like a curved rope.

“On the rope the male glassfish lays and cares for its eggs. Meanwhile, in scientific language, this fish is named Kurtus gulliveri,” said Hari.

Male glassfish with eggs on their heads can only be found during the breeding season, and always carry eggs on their heads, until the eggs hatch. Besides being found in Boven Digoel, Merauke and Fakfak, glass fish are also found in the Adelaide River, Northern Territory or northern Australia.

Source: Tempo